N O T E W O R T H Y
LAST C HA NC E E X PR E S S Regeneration of inter-regional train travel is still on the cards thanks to a recently announced inquiry into the passenger rail network. Save Our Trains spokesperson Dr Paul Callister says that although the timeframe for the enquiry is yet to be confirmed the Transport and Infrastructure Committee offers a chance to reset decades of decline in the rail system. “Services have been run into the ground through decades of deliberate decline and bias towards road and air transport. This inquiry offers an eleventh-hour chance to reverse the decline of our rail network.”
STAND AND DELIVER
HIGH-UPS
A healthy crop of candidates is contesting the Wellington local body elections. With postal voting closing on 8 October, the public are encouraged to swot up on who’s who. Wellington City has nine choices for mayor, with incumbent Andy Foster being challenged by Paul Eagle, Kelvin Hastie, Tory Whanau, Ellen Blake, Ray Chung, Chris Duffield, Barbara McKenzie, and Donald McDonald. There are 54 people vying for the 15 seats around the council table.
Taller residential buildings in Porirua are up for discussion with newly drafted changes to the district plan being offered by the city council. Medium and high density housing areas up to six stories, and rezoning land for development in Pukerua Bay are proposed. Council Environment and City Planning Manager Stewart McKenzie said “Our city is growing, and this means some of our planning rules have to change to allow for greater housing density and more housing choices.” Submissions are open until 12 September.
Spiegel Fest
A TARANAKI EVENT LINE-UP LIKE NO OTHER
SKY IS GOING GREEN Sky Stadium has sought funding of $39,500 to investigate renewable energy switches. This investigation would cover changing the venue’s lighting to low-energy LEDs, and converting cooking appliances and heating from gas to electric. If it is approved, the council’s Low Carbon Acceleration Fund will absorb the cost. In February this year the council expanded the amount of funding on offer, reflecting the increased value of the 255,660 carbon credits they hold.
Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival
